Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $62,860 +7.9% vs national
Median hourly $30.22
10th percentile $46,710
90th percentile $75,760
Employed locally 110
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,710
    25th
    $59,180
    50th (median)
    $62,860
    75th
    $72,700
    90th
    $75,760

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 91% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 9% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $85,000
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $83,260
    California $82,100
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $74,990
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $48,120
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,630
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $48,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $75,420
    Production Workers, All Other $48,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Waterloo, IA is $30.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.41 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Waterloo, IA is 7.9% above the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $46,710 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,180.